What is the Law of the Sea Tribunal (ITLOS)?
The Law of the Sea Tribunal (ITLOS) is a dispute resolution body established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Based in Hamburg, Germany, the tribunal is responsible for handling disputes arising from the interpretation, application, and implementation of UNCLOS, which is the primary international law regulating the various uses of the world’s oceans, seas, and marine resources. The tribunal consists of 21 judges, each appointed to nine-year terms by parties to UNCLOS. With its focus on the peaceful resolution of disputes, the tribunal’s jurisdiction covers any disputes arising out of the interpretation or application of UNCLOS, including those regarding fishing rights, maritime boundaries, marine scientific research, and the protection and preservation of marine environment and living resources. The tribunal also has jurisdiction to decide cases in which the nature of the dispute is not covered by the convention. In Washington, the Law of the Sea Tribunal has been used to settle several relatively minor disputes, including boundary disputes between the United States and Canada. Although the tribunal has no enforcement powers, its decisions are binding and may be enforced by the court of a party to the dispute.
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